Proyecto La Familia: The role of self and family acceptance on HIV sexual risk among Latino Immigrant MSM

Background: For Latino men, sexual contact with other men (MSM) is the most common HIV exposure. Due to language and cultural factors, Latino immigrant MSM may be particularly difficult to reach with traditional prevention strategies. “La Familia” is an HIV prevention intervention aiming to support this group around issues of sexual identity disclosure, family acceptance, and healthy coping skills in an effort to curb risky sexual behaviors that lead to HIV. It is an asset-based program designed to confront socio-cultural contexts of stigma around sexual orientation experienced by this group. Methods: “La Familia” is a group-level intervention for Latino immigrant MSM living in San Francisco. Participants (n=35) were recruited from support groups, cultural events, and nightclubs. The evaluation used quantitative (pre-, post-test) and qualitative (interviews, focus groups) methods to assess the impact of the intervention on HIV risk behaviors, disclosure, social support, resiliency and self-efficacy. Participants from La Familia were compared to participants attending a standard health program not discussing issues of sexual orientation and disclosure (n=13). Results: Reduced sex after use of drugs/alcohol, reduced use of sex as a way to feel less shame about being gay and increased disclosure to family was reported by intervention participants. Participants reported closeness with intervention group and experiencing a sense of family through their participation. Conclusions: Interventions need to address social support in guarding against HIV risk for Latino men. This project is a step towards decreasing HIV risk and ultimately, towards lowering the incidence of HIV among Latino immigrant MSM.